make up tests
When I give them a make up test I give them "X" amount of days in order to get them finished or they can not take it. If i dont they wait until the last day to do 6 tests.
Certain exam software can jumble up the questions, this way the make up will be the same questions but in different order, thereby inhibiting any form of cheating from occurring.
Aneisha,
It's good to have fixed, stated policies governing make-up exams, otherwise some students will try to take advantage of the opportunity. In my classes, there is an automatic downgrade for any graded test taken after the due date.
Barry Westling
I only give make up quizzes or test within 7 days of the initial date. I don't think its fair to give them too much extra time because its unfair to the other students.
Lori,
We are acting as student-centered instructors when we do out of the ordinary measures to assist students catch up, make up work, or work with them individually to minimize the effects of their absences.
Barry Westling
I follow this rule as well. If the student has missed multiple days I give them the days missed to make up the test due to the fact that they have missed lecture etc..However I will make every effort to get the information to the student so that they will be better prepared & able to make up work at a faster pace therefore not falling behind even more.
Lindsey,
This sounds good. I believe in downgrades for make-up of anything (tests, quizzes, homework, projects, etc). We do want to measure learning, but the process needs to be fair for all. For the student that has learned the material, their grade is less important than the information they have gained. And we need to demonstrate to the other students there is a consequence, as you say.
Barry Westling
We have a policy at our school for missed tests. They are given two different times to attempt to take it. It will be either Tuesday mornings before their first class or Thursday over their lunch period. It never changes so as the student progresses through the program their retake policy doesn't fluctuate teacher to teacher. If a student misses the test the first day it is given part of the retake policy is the highest grade they can get is a 90%. The reason we do that is because the student who was gone has had extra time to study. It also motivates students to be there on test day.
William,
In theory, a well prepared student will know the material regardless how it is asked. That said, if students know the same test will be used, it is so tempting to inquire about the test contents. I make a point to inform students of 1)the consequences for missing an exam (downgrade); 2)conditions when a a make-up test is allowed; and 3)that the tests will be different and perhaps longer. I add the last part, not because I necessarily have longer make up tests but to just discourage missing exams.
Barry Westling
i feel you always should change the questions on make up test. that way they can not try to memerize the answers but know the info.
Guillermina ,
Yeah, some students don't like essay type questions (although, if students know the material, I think essay questions are actually easier because the student can express the information in their own manner). I usually don't forewarn students about the style of the make-up test because I don't want them to "plan an emergency in advance" in order to choose which test to take.
Barry Westling
Adding essay-type questions may also discourage students from wanting to miss an exam.
Jacqulin,
Of course, we would hope and urge students not to be absent on testing days. Life happens (for legitimate or other reasons) and having a standard policy discussed on the first day of class, printed in the syllabus and rigidly followed provides the best chance to be both fair and obtain our needed information about the students learning. I really don't want to make a make-up test any harder (or easier) than the original, but agree it should be different, and that's not always easy. It seems fair (with foreknowledge) there will be a downgrade, not as a penalty, but as a consequence of missing an exam.
Barry Westling
I agree that it is important to check the policies regarding make-up. I usually do not have students missing my exams unless it is dire emergency. In my setting the format of the make-up is at the instructor's discretion, so students know that if they miss my class the format will be fill-in the blanks covering the same content. I find that sometimes students will deliberately miss an exam to get extra time to study, which is not fair for the other students.
Angela,
Right. Tests and exams are for assessing what learning has occurred and I believe it should be done regularly, following a schedule, and providing an opportunity to review and give and receive feedback. Delaying assessment potentially can prolong identifying weaker areas the student needs to understand.
Barry Westling
I do the exact same thing. It makes it easier than trying to prepare for too many tests on the last day of the module
Guillermina,
There ought to be program or institutional policies that address this, but in principle, I agree that a different version of the exam should be given as soon as the student returns. My personal practice is to assess a downgrade of 10% for exams taken after the regular administration, and I always throw in at least several essay-type questions that require the student demonstrate understanding in their own words. This helps keep the testing fair, as the regular test will have different essay questions.
Barry Westling
I agree with Alethea that make up tests should be given at the next class session.
Alethea,
Absolutely! Our pupose in testing is to measure learning. Access to the testing information is likely to skew results (and certainly doesn't promote integrity among the guilty parties).
Barry Westling
I give make up test the next day the student attends class. I give a different version of the test because student will have conversation about the tests and the absent student s may get the answers to some test questions.
